Folding ironing board



March 16, 1954 i v, Q WEAR 2,671,975

FOLDING IRONING BOARD Filed May 26, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 1 3 INVENTOR. VA'R/VO/V C. 14 54 Arroemex V. C. WEAR FOLDING IRONING BOARD March 16, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 26, 1951 INVENTOR. ka e/v0 1 C. 14 54 March 16, 1954 v, W AR 2,671,975

FOLDING IRONING BOARD Filed May 26, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Vii/VON 6. W54

Patented Mar. 16, 1954 FOLDING IRONIN G BOARD Vernon 0. Wear, Santa Monica, Calif., assignor to Roxton C. McKinnic, Santa Monica, Calif.

Application May 26, 1951, Serial No. 228,439

8 Claims.

This invention relates to folding ironing boards, and more particularly to those of the type that are so constructed that they can be set up for use optionally at any one of several different heights so as to offer the greatest convenience for use by persons of different stature, as well as under difierent circumstances of use, as, for example, when the operator is either sitting or standing.

The present invention, therefore, embodies improvements over the folding ironing boards disclosed in co-pending applications, Serial Numbers 767,976, now Patent No. 2,596,267, dated May 13, 1952 and 33,856, filed, respectively on August 11, 1947, and June 18, 1948, as well as over that disclosed in abandoned application, Serial No. 704,641, filed October 21, 1946, by Roxton C. McKimiie, the assignee of the present application.

An object of my present invention is to provide, in a folding ironing board of the general class described, an improved and simplified latch for retaining the body, or work-supporting element, of the ironing board at any elevation which might be selected by the operator, which latch is unusually strong and durable, simple and economical, highly positive and dependable, and operable with extreme ease in effecting either its engagement or release.

A further object is to provide, in an ironing board of the folding type, the construction of which is characterized by a pair of crossed leg members, one of whichis pivoted to the under surface of the body portion, and the other of which is connected to the body portion for both pivotal and sliding movement with respect thereto, both leg members being pivotally interconnected where they intersect each other. improvements in all three of the mentioned points of attachment and interconnection, whereby unusual strength and rigidity are attained without any material increase in cost as compared with more conventional corresponding construction.

A further object of the invention in this same connection is to design the improved means for connecting the ieg members to the body portion and for interconnecting the crossed leg members where they intersect, in such manner that wooden legs can be employed rather than the metal legs more cornmonly employed ironing boards of this general type, without any sacrifice in strength, rigidity, durability, or ease and convenience of either the use of the ironing board orits adjustment to or from its folded .or col- 2 lapsed arrangement, or from one elevational ad- J'ustment to another.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred forms of my invention which are illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the pre-.- ferred forms within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an underneath perspective View 01 a folding and adjustable ironing board incorporating principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view in compound section, the planes of section being indicated by the lines 22 of Fig. l and the direction of view by the arrows. Portions of the figure are broken away to reduce its size.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but with the planes of section indicated by the lines 3-- -3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal, medial sectional view taken through the single leg member of the ironing board of Fig. 1 to show details of construction of the latch mechanism. The plane of section is indicated by the lines 4-4 of Fig. 1 and the direction of view by the arrows.

Figure 5 is a still more highly enlarged view in transverse section taken upon the line 55 of Fig. 4, with the direction of view as indicated,

Figure 6 is a compound sectional view taken transversely through the single leg and longitudinally along one of the pair of legs as indicated by the lines 66 of Fig. 1 and with the direction of view as indicated by the arrows.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modified form of construction.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the under surface of the board with the legs in their coltlapsed or folded relation. I i

Figure 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but with its plane of section indicated by the lines 9;!) of Fig. 7 and the direction of view by the arrows.

Referring first to that modification of my i proved ironing board which is illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, there is provided a body portion H preferably of conventional sizeand shape corresponding to the usual design of iron mg board and formed .of any suitable, rigid miterlal. In the figures, the body portion 14 is illustrated as being composed of wood, although it is to be understood that other types of body portion, such as expanded metal lath or sheet aluminum may be employed without departing from the essence of the present invention.

The body portion I I is adapted to be supported at any of a plurality of optionally selectable elevations by a pair of crossed leg members I2 and I3 respective, the former comprising a single leg I4 and the latter comprising a pair of legs I6 extending in a common plane and flaring, at least throughout a substantial portion of their length, so that their lower ends are more widely separated in that plane than are their upper ends, thereby making for a greater degree of lateral stability of the ironing board that would be provided were the two legs l6 parallel to each other.

The two leg members 52 and I3 are disposed in angular relationship with respect to the body portion II and also with respect to each other, and are so associated that the single leg I4 of the member I2 intersects the plane of the legs I6 of the other leg member I3, passing between the two legs I6 to both of which it is pivotally interconnected at the location of such intersection as by a pivot pin construction to be described in reater detail hereinbelow.

The upper end of the single leg I e of the member I2 is attached to the under surface of the body portion II for pivotal motion with respect thereto about an axis extending transversely of the body portion ii and adjacent one end 2I of the body portion II. The details of construction of the means for establishing such pivotal connection constitute one of the elements of the present invention. It comprises an elongated bracket 22 secured rigidly with the under surface of the body portion II as by a plurality of rivets 23 and in position extending transversely of the body portion. Each end of the bracket 22 is turned downwards to provide downwardly extending legs 24 spaced apart a distance substantially greater than the thickness of the single leg I4 through the upper end of which a pivot pin 23 extends, the ends of this pivot pin 26 being seated within the lugs 24. The pivot pin 26 also extends through two spacer tubes 21, one on each side of the leg I4, with the result that the tubes 21 operate to maintain the upper end of the leg I4 centered between the two lugs 24 and, therefore, under the longitudinal center line of the body portion 2i. Preferably, a washer 28 is interposed between each of the two spacer tubes 27 and the associated side face of the leg i4 so as to protect the relatively soft wood of the leg M from the harder material of the metal spacer tube 21.

A pair of angular braces 29 are also provided, each having at its upper end a flange 3| through which the pivot pin 26 extends and which is seated between the outer end of the associated spacer tube 2'! and the associated lug 24. The lower ends of the braces 29 also are provided with flanges 32, both of which engage the leg I4 on opposite faces thereof and at a substantial distance below the location of the pivot pin 26. Preferably, both braces 29 are rigidly secured to the leg I4 by a single rivet 33 or other suitable fastening means, extending through the leg I l and through both flanges 32.

' The relatively great distance between the two lugs 24 and the bracing eifect obtained by the hereinabove described construction and arrangement of the braces 29 imparts to the body portion 2| the degree of rigidity and resistance to lateral rocking motion with respect to the leg I 4 far greater than might be expected from any other method of pivotally connecting the relatively narrow leg member I2 to the body portion The pivotal interconnection between the two leg members I2 and I3 hereinabove broadly referred to, comprises a pivot pin 36 which extends through both legs I6 of the leg member I3 and also through the single leg I4 of the leg member I2. As in the previously described pivotal connection, this pivot pin also carries a spacer tube 31 on each side of the single leg It and holding it centered within the space between the two legs I6 which'space is substantially greater than the corresponding dimension of the single leg it. Here again washers 38 are preferably employed to protect the relatively soft wood of the leg It from the harder material of the metal spacer tubes 31.

The upper end of the other leg member i3 is connected to the under surface of the body portion II, not only for pivotal movement, but also for sliding movement longitudinally of the body portion ll, thus making allowance for the decrease in dstance between the upper end of the leg members I2 and I3 as they are swung downwards from the body I I and in pivotal movement with respect to each other about the axis of their interconnecting pivot pin 36. For this purpose, a pair of spaced parallel channel members 2-5 are secured to the under surface of the body II adjacent its other end 41 which preferably is tapered and rounded in accordance with conventional ironing board design. The two channels 46 extend longitudinally with respect to the body II and are disposed in opposed relation opening toward each other so that a bar 68 preferably of circular cross-section can extend between the two channels 46 with one end of the bar 48 slidably and pivotally disposed within each of the two channels, as is best illustrated in Fig. 3. Means are provided for connecting the upper end of the leg member I3 to the bar 43, comprising a pair of spaced plates 49, both of which are welded or otherwise rigidly secured tangentially to the bar 48 along the extreme upper edges of the plates 49. Each plate 42 is rigidly secured to one of the legs I6.of the member I3, as by a rivet 5| extending through that leg adjacent its upper end and through the plate 49. Hence, each plate 49 engages its associated leg I6 along only one face thereof. This type of connection between the legs I 6 and the bar 68 is one of the details which permits the use of wooden legs rather than the more commonly employed metal, inasmuch as the downwardly extending plates &6 permit the rivets which pass through the legs I6 to be situated far enough from the associated ends of the legs to obviate the tendency which otherwise would be present for the wood to split and thus release the rivets 6! from the legs. Neverthelessthe bar 48 is situated substantially with its axis lying within'the plane of the extreme ends of the legs I6, thus avoiding any intenference with downward swinging movements of the legs I6 with respect to the body I I which would develop if the upper ends of the legs I6 were to project forany material distance beyond the pivot bar 48, as can best be understood by reference to Fig. 3.

Each of the legs l6 of the pair of legs which comprise the member I3 comprises an upper portion 56 and a lower portion 51 rigidly interconnected by atubular metal sleeve 58. The upper portions 56 of the two legs I6 are parallel to each other, whereas the lower portions 51 flare downwards and away from each other, with the result that their lower ends are materially more widely separated than are the upper portions 56 of the legs I6, thus adding very 'materially to the latter stability with which the leg member I3 supports the body portion H. The tubular metal sleeves '58, therefore, contribute to the efiiciency of the present invention in permitting the use of wooden legs each 'of which is not straight throughout its entire length. The lower end of the upper leg portion 56 of each leg [6 is rigidly seated within a socket portion 6i which comprises the upper end of the associated sleeve 58; and the upper end of the lower leg portion 51 is similarly seated within a socket 62 which comprises the lower end of the sleeve. Rivets 6% or other suitable type of fastening means assist in maintaining such seating of the associated ends of the portions 55 and 51 within their respective sockets "BI and 62. The fact that the upper portions 55 and the "associated sockets T2 of "their sleeves 5'8 facilitates construction of the pivotal interconnection between the leg members I2 and 13 since by positioning "the holes in the legs I6 and iI1 through which the ends of the pivot pin 36 extend, in the sockets 6|, which are parallel to each other rather than in the sockets 62 which are disposed obliquelywith respect to each other, it is made possible to drill the holes through a diameter of the sockets 61 and perpendicular to their major access rather than obliquely through the sockets as would be necessary were the holes to be drilled through the outwardly flaring portions of the sleeves 518 inasmuch as it is preferable that the pivot pin 36 be straight throughout its .entire length.

Means are provided for releasably securing the leg members I2 and I3 in whatever degree of an vgularity with respect to each other as is necessary to attain the support of the body portion 2.; at the elevation desired by the operator. For this purpose .a latch .mechanism indicated in its entirety at "1| is provided. As is most clearly illustrated. in Figures 4 .and .5, this latch mechanism 1] comprises an elongated relatively thin and narrow blade .12 having one end 13 seated Within a longitudinally extending slot 15 in the upper face of the single leg I4. A pivot pin 15 driven through the leg 14 in such position that it intersects the slot 14 adjacent the upper end of the latter, serves to secure the blade 12 in position. The blade 12 inclines outwardly of the slot from its pivot pin 16 .so as to dispose notches 11 in its upper edge in position to be selectively engaged by a detent preferably .in the 'form of a pin 18 carried by a collar 19 encircling and sliding longitudinally along both the leg I4 and the blade 12. This collar 19 comprises a substantially circular portion BI which almost completely encircles the leg 14, and a radially extending latch portion 82 having parallel sides 83 between which the pin. 18 extends. The end 84 of the blade 1.2 remote from the pivot pin 1.6 is urged outwardly from the slot 1.4 as by a coil spring 85 under compression between the inner edge of the blade 12 and a socket .or recess 81 in the bottom of the slot 1 Astrap 8'8 rigidly secured to the leg 14 and extending therefrom around the blade 12 adjacent its free end 84 limits outward motion of the blade 12 regardless of the position 'n'tion of sliding movement along leg Hl as 6 determined by which one or the several notches 11 the pin 1-8 is seated with-in, as illustrated in Figure 4.

The collar 19 is connected as by rods 89 to preferably both of the legs I6 of the pair of legs which comprise "the member I3. The connections of the rods 89 to the collar 19 and also the connections of the rods 89 to the legs I 6 are of a pivotal nature so as "to avoid restriction of the necessary motion between the parts. Consequently, as the leg members I2 and I3 are swung upwards toward the body portion II causing the angularity between the lower portions of the leg members I2 and I3 to increase, the rods '89 will draw the collar 19 upwards along the leg I4, provided of course the blade 12 has been depressed against the action of the spring far enough to release the pin 18 from whichever one of the notches 11 within which it may have been engaged.

The parts are so proportioned and arranged that the latchl l is mounted at the lower end of the leg I4 with the free end 84 of the blade '12 closely adjacent the extreme lower end of the leg, as is best shown in Fig. 1. In this position it is conveniently accessible to the operators foot, with the result that when it is desired to change the elevation at which the body II is supported, all that the operator has to do is to step upon the end 84 of the blade which will cause the blade to pivot downwards more deeply into the slot 1 and thereby withdraw it from engagement with the pin '18 of the slidable collar 19. The latter is then freed for sliding movement along the leg with the result that the operator can then either raise or lower the body II to whatever new position of adjustment may be desired. However, under most circumstances of use, the most convenient method of collapsing the boa-rd, as for storage, is to stand the board upon its end ZJI before the leg members I2 and 18 are swung toward the body II. The operator can then grasp the tapered end 41 of the body I I in one hand and the end of the leg I4 in the other, and by depressing the end 84 of the blade 12 then release the collar '19 from its engagement with the blade, with the result that the board can then be collapsed simply by drawing the end of the leg I-l toward the end 41 of the body II.

When completely collapsed, the two leg members 12 and K3 will occupy a common plane, i. e., the single leg I4 will lie between the two legs Id of the member '13 closely adjacent and parallel to the under surface of the body II. This is another advantage deriving from the hereinabove described means forconnec'ting the upper ends of the legs 13 to the pivotal and sliding bar 48 which, being at one side of the legs I 6 rather than "passing diametrically through them permits the legs 4-5 to assume the described position closely adjacent and parallel to the under surface of the body 1 l. Y

Figures 1, 8,- and 9 illustrate a modified form or ironing board embodying principles of the present invention. in the previously described modification, this form also com-prises a body portion tilt and leg members H2 and M3, the former comprising a single leg lit and the latter a pair of; legs M6. The leg us is similar to the single leg oi the previously described modification and is similarly pivotally mounted upon the under surface of the body I61, i. e., by means of a bracket 122 having down turned lugs 12s supporting a pivot pin I25 upon which tubular spacers 4'21 and washers T28 maintain the upper 'end of the single leg II4 centered between the lugs I24. Braces I29 also are employed which are constructed and which function similarly to the braces 29 of the previously described modification.

The other leg member I I3, on the other hand, is considerably different from the leg member I3 in that each of its legs I I6 is straight and of one piece construction, preferably a wooden pole of considerable length. Consequently, the portion of each leg H6 through which extends the pivot pin I36 which interconnects the two leg members H2 and H3 must extend through a hole in each leg I I6 which is oblique with respect to the major axis of that leg, as best seen in Fig. 8.

Moreover, inasmuch as the legs I I6 are straight and diverged downwardly from the body portion II, the portions of the legs II6 through which the pivot pin I3 6 extends are more widely separated than are the corresponding portions of the legs I6 of the first described modification, with the result that the pivot pin I36 is substantially longer than the pivot pin 36 previously described. Correspondingly, the spacer tubes I31 on the pivot pin I36 and which operate to center the leg II4 between the two legs I I6 are also longer than are the spacer tubes 31 of the first described modification.

However, the most pronounced difference between the pivotal interconnection between the two leg members of the modification illustrated in Figures 7, 8, and 9, as compared to that of the previously described modification, lies in the incorporation of two pairs of braces NH and I62 with the single leg H4 and with the pair of legs II6, respectively. The first mentioned pair of braces I6I have flanges I63 on their lower ends (i. e., the ends thereof which are lowermost when the ironing board is in its operative arrangement, as in Fig. 7) which are secured rigidly on opposite sides of the single leg I I4 below the pivot pin I36. Similarly, flanges I64 on the upper ends of the braces I'6I are engaged upon the pivot pin I36 between the spacer tubes I31 and the respectively associated legs II6, i, e., in engagement'with the outer ends of the spacer tubes I31.

The braces I62, on the other hand, have flanges I H rigidly secured to the legs I I 6 below the pivot pin I36 whence the braces I62 incline upwardly and inwardly so that flanges I12 on their upper ends are engaged on the pivot pin I36 between member II3 to the under surface of the body portion IIJI is preferably the same as that described in connection with the previous modification, i. e., through the expedient of plates I49 extending rigidly downwards from a transversely extending pivot bar I48 and engaging the faces of the legs I I6 which are closest to the under side of the body IOI when the legs are collapsed. The ends of the bar I48 are similarly engaged within opposed inwardly opening channels I46 rigidly secured in spaced parallel relation extending longitudinally of the body portion I I.

The latch member I1I, however, at the lower end of the leg I I4 is distinguished from the latch 1I previously described in that its blade I12 is provided with a plurality of spaced upwardly extending rectangular teeth I12 selectively and removably receivable within a hole I14 in the top portion of a collar I16 slidable upon the leg H4 and embracing the blade I12. In this modification of the latch I1 I, instead of employing a strap to limit outward motion of the blade I12 is urged by a compression spring I11 and about its pivot pin I18, reliance is placed in the collar I16 to perform that function. An enlargement I19 on the lower end of the blade I12 is always conveniently accessible to the operator for retraction of the blade I 12 into that position in which all of its teeth I14 are Withdrawn from the path of movement of the collar I16 as the latter slides along the leg I I4 as urged by rods I 89 which connect the collar I16 to the legs H6 at points between the lower ends of the legs I I6 and the pivot pin I36.

I claim:

1. In a folding and vertically adjustable ironing board, a body, a leg member supporting each end of said body, each of said leg members extending obliquely downwards from said body in a plan intersecting the plane of the other of said leg members, one of said leg members comprising a pair of legs and the other comprising a single leg extending between said pair of legs, a bracket secured to the under surface of said body and extending transversely thereof adjacent one end of said body and comprising a downwardly extending lug at each end thereof, the distance between said lugs being substantially greater than the thickness of said single leg measured in the same direction, a pivot pin carried by said lugs and extending through said single leg adjacent the upper end thereof, and a spacing tube on said pivot pin on each side of said single leg and holding it centered between said lugs, means pivotally and slidably connecting the upper end of the other of said leg members to said body, means pivotally interconnecting said leg members for movement with respect to each other about an axis within the intersection of said planes, and a latch for releasably retaining said leg members at selected angularity with respect to each other.

2. In a folding and vertically adjustable ironing board, a body, a leg member supporting each end of said body, each of said leg members extending obliquely downwards from said body in a plane intersecting the plane of the other of said leg members, one of said leg members comprlSlllg a pair of legs and the other comprising a single leg extending between said pair of legs, a bracket secured to the under surface of said body and extending transversely thereof adjacent one end of said body and comprising a downwardly extending lug at each end thereof, the distance between said lugs being substantially greater than the thickness of said single leg measured in the same direction, a pivot pin car ried by said lugs and extending through said single leg adjacent the upper end thereof, a spacing tub on said pivot pin on each side of said single leg, a brace rigidly secured upon each side of said single leg at a point spaced from said pivot pin, each of said braces extending obliquely upwardsand outwards and the upper end of each of said braces being mounted upon said pivot pin between the associated lug and the outer end of the associated spacing tube, means pivotally and slidably connecting the other of said leg members to said body, means pivotally interconnecting said leg members for movement with respect to each other about an axis within the intersection of said planes, and a latch for releasably retaining said leg members at selected angularity with respect to each other.

3. In a folding and vertically adjustabl ironing board, a body, a leg member sup-porting each end of said body, each of said leg members exextending longitudinally: thereof in opposed re;

lation opening toward each other, a an disposed w t e r is 6 .9 liqabl li ses within b oi said channels, said'ba r being" pivotallymovable ab u it wn was res ned i n and a plate rigid with sa fid'ext ding downwards therefrom'a y secure to a face of said other leg member, means pi? tally interconnecting said leg members rer'movesiefit with respect to eachother about an axis within e rs ct on at sa d p anes, and a latch for releasably retaining said leg members atsel'e'cted angularity with respect-to "eacl'i' 6thf.

4. In a folding and veg ically adjustable ironns board, a bod a lee m mbe qrtih ea end of said bod ea h 91 ai la ers" tending l uel downward mm idbpd in a vplane n e s ct n the plane 9 'ethsr of said leg members, means pivotallyconnecting the upper end or" one of said leg members to said body, means pivotally and slidably connecting the upper end of the other of said leg members to said body, one of said leg members comprising a pair of legs and the other comprising a single leg extending between said pair of legs, each of said legs of said pair of legs comprising an upper portion extending downwardly from said body in a plane substantially perpendicular to said body, an angulated connecting sleeve comprising an upper socket within which the lower end of the associated upper leg portion is rigidly seated and a lower socket rigid therewith and opening in a downwardly and outwardly inclined direction, and a lower leg portion rigidly seated within said lower socket of the associated sleeve,

means pivotally interconnecting said leg members for movement with respect to each other about an axis within the intersection of said planes, and a latch for releasably retaining said leg members at selected angularity with respect to each other.

5. In a folding and vertically adjustable ironing board, a body, a leg member supporting each end of said body, each of said leg members extending obliquely downwards from said body in a plane intersecting the plane of the other of said leg members, means pivotally connecting the upper end of one of said leg members to said body, means pivotally and slidably connecting the upper end of the other ofsaid leg members to said body comprising a pair of spaced, parallel channels secured to the under surface of said body and extending longitudinally thereof in opposed relation opening toward each other, a bar disposed with one of its ends slidably engaged within each of said channels, said bar being pivotally movable about its own axis with respect to said channels, and a plate rigid with said bar and extending downwards therefrom and rigidly secured to a face of said other leg member, one of said leg members comprising a pair of legs and the other comprising a single leg extending between said pair of legs, each of said legs of said pair of legs comprising an upper portion extend- 10 ing downwardly from said body in a plane sub;- stant'ially perpendicular to said b d'yyan angulatedconnecting'sleeve 'ornpn'sing'adu per socket within which the" lower'endof the associated upper leg portion' is rigidly seatedandb'lower sticket rigid" therewith and o ening in a "downwardly and outwardly inclined direction, and "a lower leg portion rigidly seated withinsaiol lower sog'zlret' off the associated "sleeve, "means" pivotally interconnectingsaidleg members for movement with respect to each other about an axis within the inters ctionof said planes, and al'atch for releasably'retaining said leg members atselected angularity with respect to each other."

In afolding and Vertically adjustable ironing board, abooly, a leg membe'rsupportingeach end of said'body, each of said leg" members" extendingobliquel'y cl ownwards from said body in a plane intersecting the plane of'the other of said leg members, means pivotally connecting the upper o'fone of said leg members to said body, means pivotally and 'slidably' connecting the upper end or the other of said leg members to said body, one er said leg members comprising apair of legs ancl'theother comprising a single leg extendingbetween said pair of legs, each of said legs" of said pairof' legs comprising an upper portion extending downwardly from said body in a plane substantially perpendicular to said body, an "anguratea" connecting" s1eeve' comprising an upper socket within which the lower end of the associated upper leg portion is rigidly seated and a lower socket rigid therewith and opening in a downwardly and outwardly inclined direction, and a lower leg portion rigidly seated within said lower socket of the associated sleeve, means pivotally interconnecting said leg members for movement with respect to each other about an axis within the intersection of said planes, said interconnecting means comprising a straight pivot pin extending through said upper sockets of both of said angulated connecting sleeves to interconnect said legs of said pair and through said single leg, and a spacer tube on said pivot pin on each side of said single leg and holding it centered between said legs of said pair of legs, and, a latch for releasably retaining said leg members at selected angularity with respect to each other.

7. In a folding and vertically adjustable ironing board, a body, a leg member supporting each end of said body, each of said leg members extending obliquely downwards from said body in a plane intersecting the plane of the other of said leg members, means pivotally connecting the upper end of one of said leg members to said body, means pivotally and slidably connecting the upper end of the other of said leg members of said body, one of said leg members comprising a pair of legs and the other comprising a single leg extending between said pair of legs, means pivotally interconnecting said leg members for movement with respect to each other about an axis within the intersection of said planes, said interconnecting means comprising a straight pivot pin extending between said legs of said pair and through said single leg, a spacer tube on said pivot pin on each side of said single leg and holding it centered between said legs of said pair of legs, a pair of braces rigid at their lower ends with said single leg below said leg member interconnecting means and each engaged at its upper end between the outer end of one of said spacer tubes and the associated leg of said pair of legs, and a second pair of braces, each secured at its 11 lower end to one of said pair of legs below said leg member interconnecting means and engaged at its upper end upon said pivot pin between the inner end of the associated spacing tube of said pair of legs and said single leg, and a latch for releasably retaining said leg members at selected angularity with respect to each other.

8. In a folding and vertically adjustable ironing board, a body, a leg member supporting each end of said body, each of said leg members extending obliquely downwards from said body in a plane intersecting the plane of the other of said leg members, means pivotally connecting the upper end of one of said leg members to said body, means pivotally and slidably connecting the upper end of the other of said leg members to said body, one of said leg members comprising a pair of legs and the other comprising a, single leg extending between said pair of legs, each of said legs of said pair of legs being straight throughout its length and being disposed in downwardly and outwardly divergent relation to the other of said legs of said pair of legs whereby each of said legs of said pair of legs is spaced a substantial distance from said single leg, means pivotally interconnecting said leg members for movement with respect to each other about an axis within the intersection of said planes, said interconnecting means comprising a straight pivot pin extending through both of said legs of said pair of legs at angles oblique to the axes of those legs and. also through said single leg, and a spacer tube on said pivot pin on each side of said single leg and holding it centered between said legs of said pair of legs, a pair of braces rigid at their lower ends with said single leg below said leg member interconnecting means and each engaged at its upper end between the outer end of one of said spacer tubes and the associated leg of said pair of legs, and a second pair of braces, each secured at its lower end to one of said legs of said pair of legs below said leg member interconnecting means and engaged at its upper end upon said pivot pin between th inner end of the associated spacing tubes of said pair of legs and said single leg, and a latch for releasably retaining said leg members at selected angularity with respect to each other.

VERNON C. WEAR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,162,778 Hoffine Dec. 7, 1915 1,425,030 Meyer Aug. 8, 1922 1,871,202 Rich Aug. 9, 1932 2,596,267 McKinnie May 13, 1952 

